oh you know...the uzsh.

as i am preparing to return to the states, i decided to write down a list of all the things that have become normal life for me here in Guate. i got the idea from another gringa on the trip and decided to expand. so here you go, here is a taste of my normal life in the Guate:

1. coffee.    every day. at least twice a day.
2. throwing toilet paper in the trash can. (this one could get messy once i am readjusting)
3. my water bottle is my lifeline, teeth brushing, drinking...i can't go anywhere without it
4. no carpet. the closest i came was the little square outside my shower. gross.
5. beds that break.      i think my total may be around 5.
6. chuchos (street dogs) everywhere. they are so ugly....they are cute
7. math. i have to divide by 8 in order to convert to US dollars
8. beans, rice and tortillas
9. more tortillas
10. pop in a bag. that's right. it is soooo much more fun
11. unreliable internet source
12. fleas. yes, humans can get them too.
13. living with a family of seven or more.
14. walking. i now understand the term "uphill bothways"
15. the faces of my 14 other gringos
16. water-pressure-less showers. the less the pressure, the hotter the water.
17. an alarm at 6:55am every morning, breakfast at 7
18. greeting everyone on the street-regardless of if you know them
19. fireworks at all hours of the day
20. every single person on the street has machetes
21. being known as a "gringa"
22. no airconditioning
23. roosters who don't know what time of day it is
24. no cold (good) milk
25. do not have the right away when crossing the street
26. chicken buses, the ride of your life
27. loud off-tune singing
28. lots and lots of laughter and love
29. spanish
30. more love.

Alma: the librarian

We have started school again! Ok, well this announcement is a week old…but its coming to ya sooner than some other stuff I have to write you all about. But, I’ll just get to that later when I am looking to procrastinate more on my homework.

My new teacher’s name is Alma. It is quite a different environment having a female teacher now compared to a male one. Alma is 74 (the oldest teacher at CLM) and also super cute. She always is dressed up in dresses, that she has tailored for her, and looks like a sweet old librarian. Conversations between Guillermo and I would often be filled with talk of politics, history and justice. Now however, our conversations revolve around education (the theme for the paper I have to write) and differences between now and then. Especially when it comes to love. Last class she had been telling me about her boyfriend and how different lovers acted back in the day compared to now. She sure had some sweet stories. On Monday she is bringing me pictures from her wedding. I bet she was so beautiful. I am excited to see them.

Which reminds me, she is so thoughtful, she is always bringing me things! Depending on conversations we will have or themes that will come up- she always knows some article or book with more information. She then brings the information the next day for me to read on my spare time. (which I have been lacking lately) one day we were talking about fruits and I told her that previous to this trip, I had only known of one kind of mango. And, the mango has become one of my favorite fruits! It is so delicious. Well, the next day what does she do?? She bought me two mangos of a kind I haven’t had yet…and they were delicious!!! And the most fun fruit I have ever eaten. What you do is you squish up the mango with your hands. You basically make it nice and juicy on the inside. Then you bite into the top just a bit and squeeze all the juice out.

It is so messy, so delicious, and so fun!!!

I am going to have to take a trip to the market to buy more of those. They are like pieces of heaven on earth.

This little piggy went to the market…and THIS little piggy went WEEEEEEE on the way to the slaughter.

Yes. I am as menacing as that title sounds. I witnessed a murder. That’s right. Someone…or rather, something died on my watch.

On march 18, Siiid, Emily, Lauren, Becky, Dan, Chris and I took a chicken bus back up to Magdalena and stayed the night with our old host families. After eating a supper at the wonderful Café mi cafecito (one of my favorite restaurants) we were invited to Mateo and Nick Miller’s (two people who work for SI) and had tea & bread & their mom’s homemade jam. It ‘twas delicious!

We settled in pretty early for the night in preparation for the eventful day ahead. It felt so good to be back in Magdalena and back with my family. I didn’t realize how much I had missed that town.

Our alarms went off bright and early at 4:30 in the morning. We rolled out of bed and wandered down the streets to Veronica’s house. My older brother Marito got up early to walk us there. It was unnecessary, but so so so extremely kind of him!

Anyways, we waited outside the house for the guys who were going to butcher the pig to arrive. The truck pulls up and they motion for us to hop in the back.

I FULFILLED #32 ON MY BUCKET LIST: RIDE IN THE BACK OF A PICK UP.

Let me tell you…it was the ride of my life! Roller coasters don’t even compare to the thrill of that morning. I think part of the reason it was so thrilling was because I was still so sleepy…but that ride sure woke me up fast. If not, I may have been flown from the truck! We were speeding around corners, down streets, up streets…going every which direction! Good thing there was no one else up yet, otherwise they would have been road kill. 10 minutes later we arrived at the farm. It is still pitch black outside…so we were using the flashlights on our handy-dandy cell phones to guide our way around the farm. I almost got clotheslined by a clothesline…but don’t worry. I am ok.

Then we arrived to the scene of the crime. There in the pen was the pig who’s brain was about to become sizzled. I say it that way because here in Guate they kill the pigs by electrocution. It was very difficult to see…but the men worked together, they had a system down to placing the correct wires on the pig’s head and then it was time to do the deed.

SSSZZZZZZZZZZT. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! CLUMP.

The first sound was the electricity hitting the pig after they doused the pig in water.

The second sound was the pig/me screeching. That’s right, I did squeal in shock and sympathy.

The third sound was the pig’s body falling to the ground.

After the duty was completed, we had the daunting task of bringing the pig back to the pickup truck to then bring back to the house to slaughter. This was no small pig mind you. My host dad told me 280lbs. the men were able to hoist it into a wheelbarrow and after a lot of pushing and hauling (with rest breaks in between) the 3 guys (plus chris) were able to get the pig…wheelbarrow and all into the pickup truck.

Can you guess what comes next? We all hop in to the back of the pickup truck. Except this time as we are careening along the mountain side, not only do we have to worry about flying out of the back, but also making sure the pig/wheelbarrow doesn’t squish us. I had the pleasure of sitting right next to the head.

The thing wouldn’t stop staring at me.

(insert embarrassing story) while we are riding in the truck, the guys ask us how we kill pigs in the US. Everyone in the group is quick to say they are from the city…and don’t know how. Lucky me I spoke up and said that I thought they killed it with a big “cuchara.” Uh oh. The surprise in his voice clued me in to my mistake. “Cuchara” means spoon…what I had meant was to say “cuchillo.” (knife) man, I am always getting those two mixed up. However, I am blaming it on the early morning/lack of sleep/traumatizing events. I tried to play it off smoothly and was explaining how I am so strong, a “cuchara” is all I need. I don’t think they bought it.

Well, to make an already long story slightly shorter…the guys then proceeded to butcher up the pig. It was a long and artful process that was quite awesome to watch. I loved my pig dissection in high school, but I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to handle this one. I am quite proud of myself though. It was so cool! The guys who were working on it would just laugh at me because I would go from “gross!...woah, cool!...that’s so sweet!” in the same 3 seconds. And, the guys would joke around with me and say, “and now for the spoon.” When they were pulling out a big machete. Oh the jokesters. But, for those with strong stomachs I have a ton of pictures and video of the whole butchering process. It truly is art. And the good news is…I didn’t lose the pictures on my computer!! These ones were still on my camera…so I can show everyone!

After this process, I was invited back to my host family’s house for breakfast. At this time it was about 8:30 in the morning. (yeah everything lasted about 4 hours) you may be wondering how I had an appetite?? Well, this is because pancakes were on the menu, luckily no bacon.

Well….this is the first of many stories to hopefully catch you up on my life here in Antigua. More to come soon!! I do rather enjoy writing about this stuff instead of doing the “h” word.

R.I.P.

Wowsers.

Ok, so I know I am EXTREMELY behind on updating this thing. But I have good reason for that. Not only am I in a foreign am country…but I also a student who lacks access to internet and an excess amount of homework. And I guess there’s one more thing…I have good news and bad news for all y’all: It seems like whenever I would go to update my life…I would remember some other sort of homework I had to go do and finish. BUT I have been making a list of everything that I need to write about so I don’t forget everything. That’s the good news. Now for the bad news….so this list I made in a word document on my computer. (I know you probably wonder where I am going with this.) And some of the recent tragedy in my life involves my computer. It died.

That’s it. Caput. It tossed its cookies and never lived to tell the tale.

I guess it lived a good life. Unfortunately in its last stand it decided to take all my documents and pictures with it.

Luckily Mateo works at the SI office. Computers bow before him. Well, Mateo performed surgery on my computer…and was able to save some things. Some of my documents and pictures were saved, however a lot were lost. It was a tiring and gruesome battle.

While at the beginning this was tragic news for me. (and I guess it still kind of is) I am deciding to look on the bright side of things.

1. Now I get to exercise my memory and remember all of the things I have to blog about.
2. I get to buy a new computer!
3. I get to take more pictures again and try to revisit old memories.
4. I have a story to tell.
5. I won’t have to worry about hauling my computer home.
6. I can maybe (???) get some new computer money from selling parts of my old one.
7. Hmmmm….i think it’s kinda hard to find the silver lining just yet.

It’ll come though. But until then I will be brainstorming and doing my best to recall all of the wonderful and life changing things that occur in the BEAU-tiful country of Guate.

Insects you have met your match.

Looking at that title I do not mean me…I mean my compe. (my roomie)

She is awesome when it comes to massacring disgusting insects. I have killed my fair share of baby ants (15 to be exact) but she has come to my rescue on two separate occasions when there was a cockroach and giant spider in the bathroom.

Sydney (my compe) has also done a wonderful job of taking care of me while I am sick…but what I do appreciate the most is her quick instinct to kill.

But don’t worry…it only applies to creatures with 4+ legs. I am safe.

The Four P’s: Partido, Pizza, Picnic and Pantalones

WHAT AN AMAZING DAY!!!

Ok, so I may be writing this today…but I am talking about last Sunday. (I hope this doesn’t confuse you all too much.)

Man oh man! So, the past week it has just been stressful, not only with classes at the Mayan school, but with Dr. Zalanga’s lectures and with being sick. I totally needed a day like today. it was great.

Ok, so first off…Sunday is my day to sleep in. Crazy, I know…but would you believe I get to sleep in and still go to church?! Oh the beauty of living in a society that functions more on the tardy side of things….

Anyway, this weekend I didn’t go to church because I went to a PARTIDO DE FUTBOL PROFESIONAL!!! (for the non Spanish speaking…that’s A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER GAME!!)

It was awesome. A group of us (Dan, Chris, Andy, Me, Lauren and Emily) met up and walked the few blocks to the stadium. At the stadium you can pay for the cheap seats in el sol or for the more expensive ones in la sombra. We opted for the sun…who doesn’t need a good dose of Vitamin D anyway?? The ticket was only 15Q….which converts to just under $2. What a great deal!

Antigua’s team won…of course. But what was really cool to see was the loyalty of the fans. There was fireworks, a band, people in masks screaming and yelling, and confetti paper raining down on us…and this was just for when the team came out on the field. When they scored…there was even more of a celebration. And their mascot?? An avocado. Of course they were going to win. How cool is that?!

After the soccer game, we were craving a bit of home-style food. So, we went for pizza. Dan, Lauren and I split one pizza and we took it to go. We ended up having a pizza picnic in the park. It was delicious. Since it was a Sunday, we receive a stipend because our host families don’t feed us on Sundays. Therefore, this pizza picnic in the park was possible. (man, how many “p”s can I get in one sentence?)

Ok, so I’ve gone through three of the four “P”s…what one’s left?? PANTALONES. And more specifically hippie pants. Dan, Lauren, becky and I went to the market and bought some of the best pants known to men. Think Aladdin…but in a typical Guatemalan fabric. I can’t wait for you all to see them. I believe next year we are going to have hippie pants Thursdays or something like that. So when you see those really cool pants in the halls of bethel university, you can know that that’s me!

Now for some more updated parts of life:

            My roommate and I have gone to two free jazz concerts that Antigua has hosted. One group from the US and one group from Italy. It was pretty fun and the setting was sweet. The concerts were at the Spanish Embassy in front of some ruins. It was so cool and kinda eerie to see the ruins lit up from the lights of the stage. Dan came with to the first concert, and it was cool to get a history lesson behind some of the songs. The US group played some that were very influential in the civil rights movement in the states. Super interesting. I feel like I am learning so much while here. It’s almost like I can’t not learn. I don’t have to be in the classroom for learning to take place, I am finding that this is a blessing as much as it is a curse.

the joy of education and parasitic creatures

This past week has been crazy busy. Let me start by explaining a typical day in the life of laura:

7:05 alarm clock goes off

7:10 still in bed

7:14 jumping out of bed, rush to put on clothes and run downstairs

7:15 breakfast with the other housemates

7:30 done with breakfast and grab things to leave for school

7:40 walk to school….which I actually know how to get to now!

7:55 meet in the library, group prayer and announcements before school starts

8-12 class with Guillermo

            A coffee and sweet bread break 10-10:30

1:00 lunch with housemates

Free time for homework, visiting the market, interviewing people, internet access, rest

6:00 supper with housemates

Free time for all the above mentioned activities

10:00 curfew

Also included, is every Tuesday we have a group Bible study from 4-5:30

While this schedule is all fine and dandy for when we have classes….last week the University decided we needed some more education time.

Well, not necessarily so….but last week we were graced with the presence of Dr. Zalanga, a professor at Bethel. All of the students in the group are taking a class of his during our time here. He was here for one week to give us our lectures for the entire semester. We are taking a class on Economic Development with a focus on the development of 3 world countries, not only Guate, but around the world. Although, it does make learning so much more interesting when we can see examples and compare situations to the country we are directly living in. Because of this class, I am seeing the impact that many actions the USA has had on the economies of other countries, and as a consequence the lives of the people living there, especially the poor. I am struggling in understanding my role in this situation…now that I know of all the inequality, what’s my role in changing it? How can I impact this for the good? What is the answer to all the poverty, malnutrition, homelessness and illiteracy caused by some of these decisions?

Dr. Zalanga is one of the smartest people I know, and the great thing is he doesn’t make me feel stupid. Everything he explains, makes complete sense. And while I have never exhibited a burning desire for economics, I found myself at the edge of my seat during his lectures.

(Random thought: I would love to invade his library and documentary collection.)

Although, no matter how awesome someone makes a class, being able to see the sun outside makes sitting for that long a bit rough.

Also, one thing that made it a bit rough was that this past week I was sick. (for your benefit I will not go into details) On and off stomach issues…my program coordinator thought I may have a parasite. Fortunately I am feeling better, so hopefully I am in the clear from that. I would not enjoy a parasite. Eww. Gross.

So….add to the schedule before: class from 3-5:30. And add 6 hours of class all day Saturday, we only got a break for lunch.

All I have to say to that is….

Thank goodness I enjoy learning.